High voltage electkicai



y 28, 1935- F. G. BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original FiledJuly 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

May 28, 1935.

F. G. BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July24, 1923 4Sheets-Sheet 2 \W, ATTORN Y May 28, 1935. F. G. BAUM Re. 19,588

HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July 24. 1928 4Sheets-Sheet 4 3 law/7222' WITNESSES:

May 28, 1935. F. e, BAUM HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original FiledJuly 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 plicable to both air and oil throughinsulating b Reiuued May 28, 1935 PA' l'ENT Y OFFICE HIGH VOLTAGEELECTRICAL SWITCH Frank G. Baum, deceased, late or San Francisco,

Calif., by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, EastPittsburgh, Pa., assignee Original No.

1,895,907, dated January 31, 1933, Serial No. 295,007, Jilly 24, 1928.

Application for reissue January 17, 1935, Serial No. 2,231

41 Claims. (Cl. 200-150) This invention relates to electric switches orcircuit-breakers for use in high tension lines, and is adaptable eitheras a single or multiple break switch. In certain respects the inventionis apswitches, and in other respects the improvements are confined toswitches of the oil type. Y

One of the advantages of circuit-breakers embodying this invention isthe fact that they are designed to be disposed in alinement and tooperate in alinement with that portion of the power line in which theyare inserted, thereby making for convenience in installation andeffecting a substantial saving in size and space. While switchingmechanisms for high tension circuits havebeen arranged in alinement withthe power line, they have been of such a character that the moving partshave been heavy and cumbersome and their operation is seriously hamperedby unfavorable weather conditions, especially by snow and ice or sleet.

These disadvantages ar vention. The moving parts have little inertia andthey are protected so as to be unaffected by weather conditions. Bothterminals may be moved in the general direction of the line to separatethe terminals and the actuating mechanism for each movable "terminal isdisposed immediately adjacent the moving part, as a consequence or whichthe maximum breaking speed is obtained.

Many features of the invention have especial utility with oil switches.Commonly in this type of switch the line terminals enter the oil tank'ngs extending through the top of the tank, and the movable contactmember, which is operated from a source outside the tank, bridges thetwo terminals which extend some distance beyond the inner ends of thebushings to protect the bushings from the arcs. Space must be providedin the tank to allow the bridging contact to be moved away from theterminals the requisite distance, which is considerable with the highvoltages employed.

One of the features of the present invention is the iact that while thearcing distance from the bushing is maintained, the terminal itself iswithdrawn into the bushing to break contact, and thus a considerablesaving in space is efiected. The two terminals may be brought in throughbushings in opposite ends of the tank and each be movable toward andfrom the other ,tomake and break the circuit, and this efiects aconsiderable increase of space efliciency not overcome by this inonlybecause both terminals move, but also bestruction employing break thecircuit, and

the present invention.- They cause they are axially disposed in the tankand therefore greatly reduce the required the tank.

If desired, the terminals may enter vertically diameter 01 and thebridging contact be used, in which case both thelcontact and theterminals may move. Also other ways of effecting a multiple break of thecircuit in the tank will be described.

This invention also includes improved actuating means for the movableterminals as will later appear. Still other features and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the following description.

The illustrated embodiments oi the invention will now be described andthereafter the invention will be pointed out in claims.

Figure l is a longitudinal section in detaiioi' an oil switch embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of an air switch'construction embodying theinvention;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a switch station cona double disconnectingswitch, one an oil switch and one an air switch, and each embodying theinvention;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the outside automatic circuit breaker associatedwith tion;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a switch construction embodying theinvention having a modified form of enclosure for the contact terminals:

Figs. 6.to 10, inclusive, are diagrams of modified forms of oilswitchesembodying the invention. Q

The oil switch construction shown in'Flgs'l and 3 has a cylindricalmetal tank I: with the slidable contact rods 2 and 3 entering throughbushings in opposite ends of the tank. On the inner ends of the rods 2and 3 are cooperative contacts which are adapted to' engage when thecontacts occupy their inner positions, as shown in Fig. 1, and thusclose the line circuit through connections which these contact'rods havewith the oil switch construethe opposite line terminals, as willpresently ap- H pear. The two bushings l are of a similar construotionwhich specifically forms no part of include ahead to or other insulatingmaterial, an 41) and an inner sleeve lo 0! like of porcelain outersleeve material, the two sleeve members having asheet metal lining 4d,which flares outwardly and provides a conical axial air space. The innersleeve member-4c extends through the head la and the portion of thissleeve within the tank has also a tapered axial bore with its largestdiameter at its inner end. Between this tapered bore and 65 able pillarinsulators from the platform the external conical is a restricted axialsheet metal Id and usual convolute leakage surface. The tank I has alining in of insulating material and is provided with a suitableexpansion chamber lb with a relief valve in its top. The tank iscompletely filled with oil, and preferably an annular space will beprovided between the inner sleeve 4c and theouter members 4a and 4b,which space will be fllled with oil to assure of the elimination of anyair space in the joints between the members.

The rods 2 and 3 are reciprocated by any suit- .able actuating mechanismto make and break thecircuit. In the construction shown they areconnected to a piston 5, which slides in a cylinder 8 disposed axiallyin the conical air space in the outer part of the bushing. The outer endof the bushing may be closed by a sheet metal head l which also servesto support the outer end of the cylinder 6. The piston is actuated by aspring I to open the contacts, and is preferably actuated inthe oppositedirection to compress the spring by fluid pressure means suchascompressed air, and if desired, the air may operate the contact rods inboth directions. The contact rod extends outwardly beyond the piston 5for a considerable, distance, this outward extension beyond the pistonbeing hollow and being of a suiilcient length to extend through thecylinder and outside oi the head 1 when the rod is in its inner orcontact making position. A latch, 8 engages a locking finger'lll on thecontact rod outside of the bushing to lock the rod in its contactingposition against the tension of Any suitable manually or autounder theinfluence of the springs 8. If. desired,

the contacts may be operated in both directions by air.

While this oil switch position it will be understood that it may bedisposed in any other position. For example, if

the portion of the line in which they are inserted is runningvertically, the tank and the sliding contacts may be arranged'verticallysince the moving parts are not of suiilcient weight to be effected bygravity in their movement. Since the 'springs 8 operate immediately uponthe sliding contact =rods, the construction is calculated to effect avery the latch 9 is tripped.

The oil switch is shown in Fig. 3 disposed upon an elevated platform IIby pillar insulators l2 line terminals l3 and II. 6o Compressed air isstored in the tank l5, which may be located in any convenient place. Inthe illustrated station construction of Fig. 3, the tank is supportedupon a platform it over the oil switch, which platform is also supportedby suit- Air from the tank I! is employed to actuate the contact rods 2and 3 to their closed contact position and store energy in the spring 8.A flexible hose 7o sion of each contact rod 2 and I, and each rod isprovided with a small port :2 just back of the piston 5. A- two-wayvalve I8 is operated by any suitable means ID to admit air from the tankllthrough the hose II, the hollow rod and the 75 port .1: to thecylinder 8 behind the piston 5, and

.-by an inclined face on is shown in horizontal" quick opening of thecontacts when I1 is connected to the outward extenmass air space of thesleeves there bearing portion lined by the serving as a bearing for thereciprocating contact rod. 'I'hebushing has the this serves to force thepiston so as to slide the contact rod to its innermost position untilthe movable parts are locked by the latch 9.

The outer end of each sliding contact rod operates a pivotedcontactcloser break connection with the power line outside of the oilswitch. In theconstruction shown, the line terminals l3 and H are 2| toa. fixed contact 22. The circuit breakers 20 have a connection with theouter end of the contact rod, as shown in Fig. 4. The outer end of therod is provided with a longitudinal slot 23, and an angular extension onthe lower end of the circuit breaker 20 engagesin this slot. In theclosed position of the contact controller, which is the position whenthe contact rod is in its innermost or contacting position, the bottomend of the circuit breaker 20 is in the outer end of the slot 23', asindicated in full line in Fig.- 3. This slotted connection assures thatthe oil switch will open the circuit before the circuit breaker 20breaks contact with the member 22. In other words, when the latch 9 istripped, the contact rod slides outwardly under the influence of thespring 8 for a distance equal to the length of the slot 23 before thecircuit breaker 20 is caused to open its contact. The continued movementof the contact rod brings the parts into the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 3 and in full lines in Fig. 4. In this position, a pivotedlatch 24 on the lower .side of the slotted extension of the contact rodcatches back of the angular end of the circuit breaker 20 which rides inthe slot 23, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. This latching ispermitted by reason of the fact that the latch is spring-pressed to itslatching position and is caused to yield against the tension of thespring the outer end of the latch over which the end of the circuitbreaker rides.

The lower end of the circuit breaker 20 is thus latched to the contactrod with the result that when the contact rod is moved inwardly by thecompressed air in the cylinder 6 toward closing positionyth'e lower endof the circuit breaker 20 iscarried along with it and the circuitbreaker is thus caused to close its contact with the mem-' ber. 22during the first part of the inward movemerit of the contact rod. Assoon as the circuit is closed, the latch 24 is released by a trip 25, atthe point shown in Fig. 4 and thereafter the contact rod continues itsinward movement without further movement of the circuit breaker 20, thelower end of which just reaches the outer end of the slot 23 when thecontact rod closes the oil switch. In thisway, the parts operate to openthe circuit in the oil switch before it is opened at the outer point,and to close the circuit at the outer point before it is closed in theoil switch.

As shown in Fig. 2, the same principles may be employed for an airswitch,-which is in all substantial respects like the oil switch abovedescribed with the omission of the tank and bushings. The two cylinders6 are supported upon pillar insulators 26. The leads 2'! and 28 from theline conductors make connection with the two contact rods 2' and 3', andair is supplied tothe cylinders 6 for operating the contact rodsthroughfiexiblehose members 29 from the air tank 30 by means of atwo-way valve 3| operated through any suitable operating means (notshown). I

' In the station arrangement shown in Fig. 3 a bypass for the circuit isprovided, as is usual." around the oil switch. As shown, this bypass mayconsist of an open air switch such asgshown 7s 2D to make and 5 shownone way in Fig. 2 and above described. The cylinders 6 are supported bypillar insulators 82 upon a platform'" above the platform It. The lineconductors l3 and it are insulated with relation to this platform I.through dead end insulators 34. Air is supplied to the cylinders 6 foroperating the contact rods 2 and I of the bypass switch through flexiblehose members 35 from the tank I! by means of a two-way valve 38 alsooperated through suitable operating means it. Both of the two-way valvesl8 and 38 will be' vented to the air at the conclusion of each movementto admit air to their respective cylinders.

Instead of leaving the bypass switch as an open air switch, the innerends 01' the sliding contact rods 2' and 3 may be enclosed to protectthe moving parts from the weather, and in Fig. 5 there is in which thismay be done. The

' inner ends of the cylinders 8 are joined by a cylindrical member I1,which in the form shown has convolute heads 3B 01' porcelain or otherinsulating material, and a cylindrical body portion 39, which may wellbe made of a suitable insulating material, strengthened or reinforced byspaced circumferential bands or metal or other strong material. It thebody. of the cylinder is formed of a composition, the reinforcing bandsmay be molded within them, as shown, or, if preferred, they may bedisposed as hoops around the outer surface of the cylinder. Since theyare disposed circumi'erentially, they will not impair the insulatingcharacter of the wall. The heads 38 serve. as bushings for the cylinders6, and it the cylindrical wall be oi non-insulating material, a longerbushing will be employed, permissibly of the character shown in the oilswitch construction of F18. 1.

The enclosure of the character shown in Fig. 5

' with its body formed of reinforced insulating mamatically modifiedtypes .In the the clearance between terial specifically forms no part ofthe present invention, but constitutes the subject matter of thecopendlng application Serial No. 295,008, filed July 24, 1928.

I! desired, such an enclosure for the electrical terminals may be filledwith oil, in which case the switch becomes an oil switch instead of anair switch.

In Figs. 6, 7 and'8, there are shown diagramof horizontal oil switches.form shown in Fig. 6, the sliding contact rods 2 and 3 make contactthrough an.intermediate rotary conductive switch member I. Thisintermediate rotary switch is pivoted through an insulative support 42in the bottom of the tank I and any suitable means may be employed torotate the intermediate switch member 4| synchronously with the movementof the sliding contact rods land 3 to open and close the circuit. Forexample, the pivot rod a may be operated through another compressed aircylinder and piston construction (not shown) by means 01' a bell crankconnection, the air being admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder bymeans of a valve operated in conjunction with the valves that controlthe admission of air to the cylinders 6 in the bushings l for operatingthe contact rods 2 and 3. A multiple Kreak is thus effected in thecircuit and the contacts is increased on open circuit position.

Another multiple break arrangement is indicated in Fig. '1 in which thecentral switch member, instead of being rotative, is composed of twosliding contact rods 2a. and to operated by pistons in two cylinders taarranged in alinement with the cylinders t and supported by means of aninsulating pillar upon the bottom of the tank I. Air will be admitted tothecylinders to by suitable means (not shown) in synchronism with theadmission of air into the cylinders 6. In this way, two pairs ofcontacts are provided, with both contacts of each pair moving.

Another way of obtaining a double break switch with both contacts ofeach pair of contacts moving is shown in Fig. 8. Here centr'al contacts20 and 3b are pivoted upon an insulating support so as to swingvertically. To eil'ect this movement of the intermediate contacts 2b andlb, they have their inner ends connected through pitmans to a piston rod43 on a piston to sliding in the vertical cylinder to and disposed onthe top of the expansion chamber. lb or the tank. .A spring Ia.actuates' the piston to open the contacts while air will be admittedthrough suitable connections (not shown) to close the contacts. Thecircuit'is completed through the contacts by a conductive connection 44betweenthe pivots of the two swinging contact members 2!) and 3b.

In Figs. 9 and are shown diagrammatically two forms of oil switches withvertically moving contacts and in which a double break is effected andboth contacts of each pair move. The two contact rods 2 and 3 slidevertically through the bushings 4 and are operated by the cylinderconstruction previously described, The bridging contact member 45 isalso vertically actuated in opposition to the rods 2' and 3 by means ofthe reciprocating piston rod 6 whose piston and piston and cylinder arein the insulative bushing la and operate as do the other piston andcylinder constructions.

The form shown in Fig. 1 0 is similar to that of Fig. 9 except that thebridging contact consists oi two swingingmembers 2c and 30 operatingsimilarly to the corresponding members of Fig. 8. These pivoted contactmembers are actuated through a vertical actuating rod it operated by anysuitable outside means in synchronism with the actuation of the contactrods 2 and 3.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the constructionshown in the drawings and above particularly described within theprinciple and scope of the invention.

.What is claimed is:

1. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rodsconnectable to opposite line terminals and arranged to slidelongitudinally through fixed insulating bushings toward and from eachother to make and break electrical contact, and actuating means formoving each conductive rod to a point of engagement.

2. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rodsconnectable to oppo site line terminals and arranged to slidelongitudinally toward and from each other to make and break electricalcontact, actuating means for each rod including a cylinder and a pistonand a fixed insulating'support for each cylinder.

3. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of alined conductive rodsconnectable to opposite line terminals and arranged to slidelongitudinally toward and from each other to make and break electricalcontact, actuating means for each rod including a cylinder and a pistonand a fixed insulating bushing surrounding and supporting each cylinder.

a. longitudinal y slidable contact, means for actuof movable contacts,rod for operating each to reciprocate the respective rods to make andbreak the line circuit. 6.1! switching mechanism comprising aninsulated, oil-containing tank supported in proximate relation to theline terminals with its axis horizontal, two posite ends of the tank andconnectable to the opposing line terminals and arranged to make contactwithin the tank, means including a cylinder and piston {orreciprocatingeach rod to make and break the line circuit, andinsulatingmeans ior supporting the cylinders upon the respective ends of the tank.

7. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising an oil-containingtank arranged with itsaxis parallel to the power line, an insulatingbushing axially disposed in each end of the tank, a contact rod axiallyslidable in each bushing and connected to opposite terminals 01 the lineand means for moving the rods into engagement within the tank.

8. For a power line. a switchingmechanism comprising an oil-containingtank arranged with its axis'parallel to the power line, an insulatingbushing axially disposed in each end or the tank, a contact rod axiallyslidable in each bushing, the two rods being connectable to'oppositeterminals of the line and being arranged to contact within the tank, andmeans to slide the rods simultaneously toward or from each other to makeor breakthe line circuit.

- 9. A switching mechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one lineterminal within the tank, an oscillatory contactdevice having one 4 partwithin the tank adapted to make and break contact with the said lineterminal as the device oscillates and another part external 0! the tankadapted'to make and break contact with the other line terminal as thedevice oscillates, and means to cause the internal part 01" the contactdevice to act in advance of the external part on the contact-disengagingmovement.

' 10. A switching mechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one lineterminal within the tank, an oscillatory contact device having one 'partwithin the tank adapted to make and break contact with the said lineterminal as the device oscillates and another part external 01 the tankadapted to make and break contact with the other line terminal as thedevice oscillates and means tocause the making of contact by theexternal part of the contact device to precede that by the internalpartand the breaking of contactpby the external partto succeed that bythe internal part.

, T11. Aswitehingmechanism comprising an oilcontaining tank, one lineterminal within the tank,.a longitudinally reciprocative conductive rodextending through and slidable in a wall of the tank to bring its innerend into and out of contact with the :said line terminal, anda connectorbetween theouterend 01 said rod and the other lineterminal arrangedtovbe-operated by the insulating support for each of said rods slidableaxially m the opcomprising an oilmovement oi the rod minal after the 12.A'switching mechanism containing tank, one line terminal within thetank. a longitudinally reciprocative' conductive rod extending throughand slidable in a wall of the tank to bring its inner end into and outof contact with the-said line terminal, and a movable circuit breakeroperative to connect the outer end or said rod with the other lineterminal and having a loose connection with the rod for the first partof the outward movement and the-latter part of the inward movement 01the rod and a fixed connection therewith for the latter part or itsoutward movement and the first part of its inward movement. I v

13. The combination in asliquid-immersed circuit interrupter. having themain conducting members movable in the liquid, means for bridging thesaid members for completinga circuit therewith and means for moving thesaid conducting members away from the bridging means as said means ismoved away from said main conducting members.

14. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter having morethan two independentmain current-carrying members arranged forconnection in series in acircuit, of means for simultaneously movingeach of the members into engagement to complete said circuit.

16. An oil switch tor-high tension lines comprising an oil-containingtank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals bycircumferential reinforcing bands, two insulative bushings in the wallof the tank, line terminais entering the tank through said bushings andmeans for sliding the said terminals into engagement with-in the tank.

17. An oil switch for high tension lines comprising an oil-containingtank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals byreinforcing bands, insulative bushings in the wall of the tank, lineterminals entering the tank through the bushings, and means foractuating said terminals through their bushings to make and breakcontact with each other within the tank. 7

18. An oil switch for high tension lines comprising an oil containingtank made of insulating material and surrounded at spaced intervals byreinforcing bands, insulative bushings in the wall of the tank, lineterminals entering the tank through the bushings, the said. terminalsbeing slidable through their bushings to make and break contact witheach other within the tank and means external of the tank for actuatingthe slidable terminals.

19. A switching mechanism comprising a tank containing aninsulating'liquid and having its opposite ends formed of insulatingmaterial, two alined rods slidable in the endsoi' the tank and arrangedto make contact within the tank,- and means in the respective ends ofthe tank to reciprocate the respective rods to make and'break contact.

A switching meats e r se as containing an insulating liquid and havinginsu lating bushings supported in opposed positions thereon, two alinedrods slidable in said bushings and arranged to make contact within thetank, and means mounted within said bushings to reciprocate therespective rods to make and break contact.

2L For'a power line, a switching mechanism an oil-containing tankarranged with -withinthetank.

22. For a power line, a switching mechanism an oil-containing tankarranged with its longitudinal axis parallel to the power line,

' aid oil-containing tank including a metal portiorri'orming the centralpart of the tank and a pair of axialhr aligned insulating bushingsformingtheendportions otthe'tan'k, aline terminal at the outer end ofeach oi said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidable in eachbushing and connectable with the line terminal at the end oi! thebushing, means movable in each bushing for moving said contact rods toopen and close the circuit between said line terminals at the ends ofthe bushings, and an insulator column for supporting and insulatingsaidmetal central part of the tank from ground.

23. For a power line, a'switching mechanism comprising aliquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal,said liquid containing tank including a metal portion forming thecentral part of the tank and a pair of axially aligned insulatorbushings forming the end portions oi the tank, line terminals at theopposite ends of said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidablein each bushing for opening, and closing the circuit between said lineterminals, and a vertical insulator column for supporting and insulatingsaid metal central part of the tankfrom ground.

24. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising aliquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal,said liquid containing tank including a metal portion form-, ing thecentral part of the tank and a pair of axially aligned insulatorbushings forming the end portions of the tank, line terminals at theopposite ends 01 said insulator bushings, a contact rod axially slidablein each bushing for opening and closing the circuit between said lineterminals, a vertical insulator column for supporting and insulatingsaid metal central part of the tank from ground and avertical insulatorcolumn for supporting and insulating each of the opposite ends of saidpair 01 insulator bushings from ground.

25. In a circuit interrupter, an outer container having a body of arcextinguishing fluid retained therein, said outer container having itsopposite ends formed by a pair of axially aligned tubular members ofinsulating material, a line terminal adjacent the outer end of each ofsaid pair of tubular members oi insulating material, a contact rodslidable axially in each of said pair of tubular members of insulatingmaterial for opening and closing the circuit between said lineterminals, means movable in each 01' said tubular members of insulatingmaterial for actuating the contact rod slidable therein, and saidslidable contact rods being brought to rest when actuated toclosedcircuit position without the impact thereof being transmitted tosaid tubular members of insulating material.

26. In a circuit interrupter, an outer container having a body of arcextinguishing fluid'r'etained therein, said outer container having itsopposite ends formed by a pair of axially aligned tubular members ofinsulating material, a line terminal adjacent the outer end or each ofsaid pair of tubular members of insulating material, a contact rodslidable axially in each of said pair of tubular members of insulatingmaterial for opening and closing the circuit between said lineterminals, a

spring in each of said tubular members of insulating material forbiasing each of said contact rods to open-circuit position, meansmovable in each of said tubular members of insulating material foractuating the contact rod slidable therein to closed-circuit positionagainst said springs and said slidable contact rods being brought torest when actuated to closed-circuit position without the impact thereofbeing transmitted to ,said tubular members of insulating material.

27. In a circuit interrupter, a container having a,body of arcextinguishing fluid retained therein. said container having a centralportion 01 metal and having its ends formed by a pair oi axially alignedtubular members of insulating mterial secured to opposite'sidesoi saidcentral portion of metal, a line terminal at the outer end in each oneof said pair of tubular members oi. insulating material, a contact rodslidable axially in each one or said pair of tubular members 01insulating materialfand an insulator column for supporting andinsulating the metal central portlon oi said container from ground.

28. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising an outercontainer having a body at arc-e fluid therein, said outer'containerhaving its longitudinal axis positioned horizontally and including ametal portion forming the central part of the container and a pair 0!axially aligned tubular members oi insulating material forming the endportions oi the con-' tainer, a line terminal adjacent the outer end ofeach of said pair of tubular members of insulating material, a contactrod slidable horizontally in each or said pair of tubular members oiinsulating material for opening and closing the circuit' between saidlineoterminals, means movable in each of said tubular members ofinsulating material for actuating the contact rod slidable therein andsaid contact rods being brought to rest when actuated to closed-circuitposition without the impact *thereoi being transmitted to said tubularmembers oi insulating material, and a vertical insulator column forsupporting and insulating said metal central part 01' the tank fromground. 29. For a power. line, a switching mechanism comprising an outercontainer having a body 01 arc-extinguishing fluid therein, said outercontainer having its longitudinal axis positioned horizontallyandincluding a metal portion torming the central part of the containerand a pair of axially aligned tubular members of insulating materialforming the end portions of the con-'- tainer, a line terminal adjacentthe outer end of eachof said pair of tubular members oi. insulatingmaterial, a contact rod slidable horizontally in each of said pair oftubular members of insulating material for opening and closing thecircuit between said line terminals. a spring ineachotsaidtubularmemberso! insulatingmaterial for biasing each of saidcontact rods to move more than two independent main current-,carryingmembers arrang d for connection in series in the circuit, said currentcarrying members including two aligned rods slidable in the ends of thetank, and means in the respective ends 01' the ,tank for simultaneouslymoving each of said aligned rods to make and break contact.

31. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, or a tankfor the liquid having its opposite endsi'ormed oi. insulating material,a line terminal at each 01 said opposite ends of the tank, more than twomovable current-carrying members arranged for connection in seriesbetween said line terminals, said current-carrying members including atleast two aligned rods slidable in said ends of the tank of insulatingmaterial, and means in the respective ends of the tank forsimultaneously moving each oi! said aligned rods to open the circuitbetween said line terminals at a plurality of points.

32. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of a tankfor the liquid having its opposite ends i'ormed of insulating material,a line terminal at each of said opposite ends of the tank, more than twomovable current-carrying members arranged for connection in seriesbetween said line terminals, said current-carrying members including atleast two aligned rods slidable in said ends of the tank of insulatingmaterial, means for simultaneously moving each of said current-carryingmembers to open the circuit between said line terminals at a pluralityor points, and an insulator column for supporting and insulating saidtank from ground.

33. The combinationin a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of an outertank for the liquid including tubular means oi. insulating material,more than two movable main current-carrying members arranged forconnection in series in the circuit for opening and closing the circuitat a plurality of points, means tor moving each of said current-carryingmembers to simultaneously open the circuit at a plurality of points, andsome 01. said current carrying members being movable within said tubularmeans of insulating material. 7

34. The combination in a liquid-immersed circuit interrupter, of anouter tank'tor the liquid including tubular means of insulatingmaterial, more than two movable main current-carrying members arrangedfor connection in series in the circuit for opening and closing thecircuit at a plurality of points, means for moving each of saidcurrent-carrying members to simultaneously open the circuit at aplurality of points, and some of said current carrying members beingmovable within said tubular means of insulating material, and aninsulator column for supporting and insulating said outer tank fromcuit'interrupter, of an outer tank for the liquid including tubularmeans of insulating material. more than two movable maincurrent-carryingmembers arranged for connection in series in the circuit for opening andclosing the circuit at a plurality of points, some oi. saidcurrent-carry,-

ing members being movable within said tubular means of insulatingmaterial, means within said tubular means of insulating material forbiasing the current-carrying members movable therewithin toopen-circuit.position, and means for causing all of saidcurrent-carrying members to move to simultaneously openthe circuit ataplurality of points.

36. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breakerhaving a fluid-containing tank, said tank including an insulatorbushing. a pair of separable contacts in said tank for opening andclosing the circuitunder load, means for connecting one of said contactsin the tankto the power line including a pair of separable contactsoutside of said tank and a conductor extending into said insulatorbushing, an actuating member movable in said insulator bushing and saidactuating member. being connected to actuate one of said separablecontacts outside of the tank to connect and disconnect saidcircuitbreaker and the power line.

37; A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breakerhaving a container including a tubular'member of insulating material, apair of contact members in .the container for opening and closing thecircuit under load,

one of said contact members being movable in said tubular member oiinsulating material, means for connecting one of said contacts in thecontainer to the power line including a pair of contacts of adisconnecting switch outside of said container and 'a conductorextending therefrom into the end of said tubular member of insulatingmaterial, actuating means movable in said tubular member of insulatingmaterial, and

means mechanically connecting said actuating ing material, a contactwithin the container andconnectable to one terminal of the power line, asecond contact movable in said tubular member of insulating materialinto and out of engagement with the first said contact, disconnectingswitch means outside of said container and electrically connected inseries with said contacts, 'said disconnecting switch means beingconnected at one end in circuit with said second contact at a pointadjacent to the outer end or said tubular member of insulating material,and means for actuating said disconnecting switch means including anoperating member through which-force is transmitted to saiddisconnecting switch means, said operating member being movable in saidtubular member of insulating material.

39. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breakerhaving a container including a tubular member of insulating material, apair of contact members in the container for opening and closing thecircuit under load.

one of said contact membersvbeing movable in said tubular member ofinsulating material. means for connecting one of said contacts in thecontainer to the power line including a pair of contacts of adisconnecting switch outside oi said container and a conductor extendingtherefrom into the end said tubularmember of insulating material,actuating means movable in said tubular member of insulating material,and mea'ns mechanically connecting said actuating means to move saiddisconnecting switch to open and close the circuit between the powerline and the circuit breaker and means for causing said disconnectingswitch to be actuated to openand close the circuit to the circuitbreaker only when the circuit breaker is in open-circuit position.

40. A switching mechanism for a power line comprising a circuit breakerhaving enclosing means including'a pair of tubular members of insulatingmaterial, a terminal adjacent one end of each oi. said tubular membersof insulating material, a plurality 01' contact members within saidenclosing means for opening and closing the circuit between saidterminals under load, said plurality of contact members including acontact member movable in each 01 said pair oi. tubular members ofinsulating material, a pair oi disconnecting switch means outside ofsaid enclosing means and electrically connected in series with thecontact members within the enclosing means, each of said disconnectingswitch means having one side thereof connected to one of said terminalsfor disconnecting each terminal of the circuit breaker from the circuit,and means for actuating said disconnecting switch means including an'perating membe'r movable in each 0! saidtubular members of insulatingmaterial.

'41. For a power line, a switching mechanism comprising aliquid-containing tank arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal,said liquid containing tank including a metal portion forming thecentralpart oi the tank and a pair 0! axially aligned insulator bushingsforming the end portions 01' the tank, line terminals at the oppositeends of said insulator bushings. a contact rod axially slidable in eachbushingior opening and closing the circuit between said line terminals,a pair of disconnecting switches outside of said liquid-containing tankand electrically WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC I:

MANUFACTURING COMIPABH', Assianee of Frank G. Baum, Deceased. W. S.RUGG,

Vice President.

